Rebecca’s Blog

January 13, 2010

I returned to Kenya at the end of December after a six month fundraising push in the US. While the economy has affected our fundraising ability more than I like to admit, we made some great strides by the end of 2009, including a grant from the TEW Foundation for $25,000 to fund construction of a maternity department in Mbita, Kenya. While I felt there was unfinished business in the US (as there always will be), it was important for me to return to the field- for my own sanity as well as to check on the status of our project.

After spending a couple of days in Nairobi, I endured the long drive to Kisumu to Young Generation Center (YGC), the orphanage we began partnering with a year ago. I am not sure words can describe the feeling of driving into a gated compound in the middle of the slums, and being greeted by 50 screaming and cheering children, literally jumping with joy, chanting your name. Seline, or Mathe (which means mother of many in Kiswahili), with roses in hand and arms stretched out ready for an embrace. The staff of YGC, who are more than partners and have become my brothers and sisters, dancing and laughing, after my long anticipated return. Three words- I am home.

I spent a week in Kisumu focusing on the changes in YGC. Another YGC partner organization, SchoolChild Africa, is currently here and we were able to assist YGC with accomplishing goals and plans for the upcoming year. On the 8th, I was joined by Med25 Field Director, Kelsey. We traveled to Mbita the next day to see the progress of the clinic.

While the rains of early December have continued into January causing many delays in construction, we are still very pleased with the progress. We hope construction will be completed by the beginning to middle of February, allowing us to open before March. While there is still a lot to do before that day, we are hard at work- creating contracts, meeting with the ministry of health, teaming with local organizations for medical supplies, medications, and lab equipment, and interviewing medical staff. Tomorrow we will be joined by board member Dr. Dave Kregenow and other volunteers in order to get everything done ASAP.

I will continue to update you from the field as things progress…